A 1 year and 9 months old boy had had mild grippe-like symptoms for several days. A neighboring pharmacist applied some (unknown) liquid drug in his throat. At this moment, the cotton tip slipped off the applicator and dropped in the throat. The patient complained throat pain and mild dyspnea thereafter. A neighboring general-practicing physician examed the patient and performed esophageal bouginage for several times in vain. Fever and dyspnea became worse and the patient was send to us a few hours later. Diret laryngoscopy revealed swollen epiglottis with ulceration and vocal cords could not be seen. Emergency tracheotomy was performed. During this procedure, patient vomitted a large amount of digested food, but we could not find any cotton balls. Bronchoscopy also done through the tracheotomy wound and no pathology was found. The respiration became quiet after tracheotomy but fever continued. Esophagoscopy could not proceeded due to the severe swelling of the epiglottis. We watched the patient for 2 days giving him enough antibiotics. On third hospital day, the respiration became shallow and labored. Direct layngoscopy revealed marked inflammatory swelling of the lower hypopharynx and pus escaping from the esophageal lumen. The child expired a few hours later.